(December 8th) WBA lightweight championVasiliy Lomachenkowanted to unify lightweight world titles. After 12 rounds, he got his wish, although WBO championJose Pedrazasure didn’t make it easy and halted Lomachenko’s eight-bout knockout streak in the
process.

Lomachenko(12-1 9 KOs,) defeatedPedraza(25-2, 12 KOs) via unanimous decision in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,312 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden to unify world
titles for the first time in his illustrious career.

Scores were 119-107 and 117-109 2X.

“It was my dream to unify titles,” Lomachenko said. “It was my next goal. I can now
focus on my next chapter.

“He’s a veteran. He did a very good job, and I respect Pedraza and his
team.”

Said Pedraza: “I am happy with my performance tonight. I went 12 rounds with the best
fighter in the world. I knew what we were going up against. I thought it was a close fight until the knockdowns. At the end of the day, I am proud of what I did.”

It was tactical fight, as Pedraza’s long arms kept Lomachenko at bay for much of the
night. In the 11th round, Lomachenko, turned up the heat, scoring a pair of body shot knockdowns as Pedraza barely survived the round.

For Lomachenko, it’s on to the next challenge.

Navarrete Stuns Dogboe to Win Title

Emanuel Navarretebeat the long odds and stunned the rising superstar,Isaac Dogboe, via unanimous decision to win the WBO junior featherweight world title. The scores (116-112 2X, 115-113) reflected the action, as
Navarrete was the aggressor throughout the fight

Navarrete (26-1, 22 KOs) stopped the streaking momentum of Dogboe (20-1, 14 KOs), who
was making his second title defense.

“I thank Dogboe for this opportunity,” Navarrete said. “This world championship
represents every day that I was working away from my family. This title represents sacrifice. I injured my right hand early in the fight, but I had the desire to be a champion and I did everything
necessary to get the title, and I am very happy and proud to achieve this goal of being the world champion.”

Said Dogboe: “It was a great fight, and Emanuel Navarrete fought like a true Mexican
warrior. Champions are supposed to keep going under any circumstance, but I just couldn’t get the victory. The best man won tonight.”

The Teofimo Express Rolls On

Teofimo Lopez(11-0, 9 KOs) showed why, at age 21, he is the sport’s fastest rising star, knocking
outMason Menardwith a right hand at only 44 seconds of the opening round. Menard (34-4, 24 KOs) fell
face-first, and the fight was immediately waved off.

“I knew he was a tough fighter. I knew he could fight,” Lopez said. “I wanted to test
him, and I took a chance early in the fight. I know he trained hard, and he didn’t want it to go that way. But this is ‘The Takeover.’ ‘The Takeover’ has begun.

“He fought a very uncomfortable, dirty fight, but I dominated,” Besputin said. “I am
ready for a world title fight next.”

HeavyweightGuido “The Gladiator” Vianellocame, saw, and conquered in his pro debut, knocking outLuke Lyons(5-2-1, 2 KOs) at :29 of the second round. Vianello, a native of Rome, represented Italy at the 2016
Olympics.

“It was a dream come true to make my professional debut at Madison Square Garden,”
Vianello said. “I hope I did Italy proud. I came here tonight to score a knockout, and I delivered.”

Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas(12-1, 8 KOs), a Bronx native, put on a show for the hometown fans, scoring three knockdowns en
route to a fifth-round TKO againstJohn
Renteria(16-6-1, 12 KOs). Vargas has now won six straight
since a controversial disqualification defeat.

In an upset to start the evening, super lightweightAbdiel Ramirez(24-3-1, 22 KOs) stoppedMichael “The Artist” Perez(25-3-2, 12 KOs) in the eighth and final round. Perez, from Newark, N.J., a longtime contender, was
returning from a nearly 20-month layoff. Perez was leading on all three scorecards (68-64, 68-64, 66-65) at the time of the stoppage.